Hilling: From my early 20s, I knew I wanted to create more for my life than I had experienced thus far. I started my first business when I was 24 and I have continued to grow and evolve as an entrepreneur throughout the years, now focusing on Finneous & Bean. Once I created the bamboo headband line, used them and loved them, I knew others could benefit from them too.

Q: Why did you start this business?

Hilling: I started Finneous & Bean simply to fill a need. I have been an athlete all my life and in the fitness industry for over 20 years and have yet to find a product that allowed me to focus on my event and not my hair. After years of frustration, I decided to create such a product, the empowHERed bamboo braided headband. The fabric, the function, and the style are unlike any other mainstream headband out there.

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Q: Were there any challenges that made you think twice about striking out on your own?

Hilling: There are always challenges, whether in business or in life, but it is those challenges that can teach you so much if you choose to learn from them. I have faced many struggles throughout this journey, both personally and professionally, but I have never thought about quitting. I believe with all my heart that my products serve a purpose and can truly help people in their active lifestyles.

Q: If you could do it again, what would you do differently?

Hilling: I would have let people help me more. I have always been independent, sometimes to a detriment. I have had many opportunities to collaborate with amazing people, but felt I needed to make this work on my own. Definitely a lesson learned: There are so many inspiring, smart, wonderful people out there excited to help others; take them up on it.

Q: What’s the best business advice you have ever received?

Hilling: To listen to and learn from others, but to follow my own heart and gut. My journey is my own and no one can walk the path that I walk. As long as I am unapologetically myself, I believe in what I am doing, and I am true to my soul, I cannot be wrong.

Q: What personality trait helps you the most?

Hilling: A combination really. My creativity helps me come up with new ideas, my determination gets them to be the best they can be and my positivity keeps me going through all the fails and almosts.

Hilling: I always find marketing to be the most challenging part, getting the Finneous & Bean name out there and having it stick with people. I can’t tell you the number of times people remember me as “the headband girl.” I try to engage with customers through Facebook videos or taking them behind the scenes on my instagram page @finneous.bean.

Q: The easiest?

Hilling: By nature I am a doer, a creator, a fabricator. I am love with the creative process. I love seeing my ideas come to life. It is in no way easy, but it certainly is exciting and the most fun.

Q: What surprised you the most about running the business?

Hilling: How the littlest things can make the biggest difference. It’s not always just about having a fabulous product, but about how you interact with people and how you make them feel. This is one of the reasons I absolutely love doing live events. I get to interact and chat with every single person that walks by my table. There is nothing better than sharing a simple smile or hello with someone, regardless if they stop or even purchase a headband.

Q: Describe your most unusual customer, job or work experience.

Hilling: Oh wow, how do I narrow it down to one? I had my first job at the age of 13 and I have done everything from being a cashier at multiple stores, to being a vet tech and working at an animal shelter, to being a personal trainer, a physical therapy aid, a manager of many gyms, a director of administrative operations for a gym, to owning my own businesses. I have seen a lot of unusual people, heard many quirky things and have had the most random of experiences in the last 20 something years. I feel like they have all prepared me to be a working mom, because let’s face it; you never know what your child will do next.

Q: How would you like the business to grow and change?

Hilling: I would love to grow my brand into a household name, while still maintaining the small town, local, personal feel. I would love to see our empowHERed bamboo braided headband on the wrist of every young athlete and our inspirational tees on every person looking to make a change. I hope to expand Finneous & Bean into an all-encompassing apparel line including pants, ball caps, bags, etc. and have the name be synonymous with community, sustainability and inspiration.

Q: In one sentence, tell us why customers should go there.

Hilling: I strive to create eco-friendly accessories and apparel that empower and inspire people to be active, to play hard, to chase their passion, to live life their way and to look good while doing it.

Q: What do you love about the community where your business is located?

Hilling: What is not to love about being at the Jersey Shore? I find myself in awe almost everyday that this is where I live and work. I am surrounded by the local vibe, people helping and encouraging people, community based activities and the fitness lifestyle that I love so much.

Q: When you leave work, do you leave the office behind, or are you always in contact?

Hilling: Being that I have created a business that is mine and is driven by my heart and my passion, I don’t think I could “leave the office behind.” I am accessible via my website, social media and email 24/7/365. I love hearing from and connecting with my customers and will always respond as quickly as I can. That being said, I value my time and my energy as much as I value yours and I am a believer in self care. I believe in the importance of rest, in meditation, in exercise and in spending uninterrupted time with my family and friends.

Q: What do you do in your off time?

Hilling: Oh my gosh, there is so much I love to do. I love connecting with nature, whether it’s soaking up the salt air at the beach, taking in the energizing feel of a hike, biking riding through town, or sitting on my deck reading a book. I love sitting in my own space meditating, which I do at least once, maybe twice a day if I get lucky. I love playing with our dogs, taking them to the beach, for car rides, or just cuddling on the couch with them. The highlight of my nights and days off though are playing in our yard or at the park with my amazing 8 year old, Finneous, and spending time with my husband, Eric.

Q: When you leave the business behind some day, what will you do?

Hilling: Hmmm, I have no plans on leaving this business. It is truly my passion and I only look forward to expanding and growing.

Small Business Spotlight runs Mondays; visit www.app.com/smallbusiness. If you’re a small-business owner in Monmouth and Ocean counties interested in taking part in this Q&A, contact business producer Dennis P. Carmody at dcarmody@gannettnj.com.